Sonia Gandhi’s book: Penguin India lawyers asked for changes and cuts in ‘several chapters’

Lawyers representing Penguin Random House India (PRHI) sought changes and deletions from multiple chapters of Sonia Gandhi's forthcoming memoir, "Belonging." Deliberations lasted over two months before the publishing deal ultimately fell through, according to sources. Initially, the negotiations were described as "cordial," but they became "rough" in their later stages.

The global publisher Alfred A Knopf, a division of Penguin Random House, was responsible for the book's initial announcement and a print run of 100,000 copies scheduled for November 10. Among the sections objected to were references to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), instances of communal divide, riots, and concerns for minorities.

Sonia Gandhi, represented by a family friend and an aide's relative, pushed back, arguing that PRHI lawyers were being "over-sensitive" and that the suggested edits and deletions would result in two conflicting versions of the book - one for the global market and another for the Indian edition. The author's team maintained that readers in India would have to compare the global and Indian editions to discern the changes.

While specific details about the book's content remain scarce, sources suggest it offers a comprehensive account of Gandhi's life, culminating in her perspectives on the direction of Indian politics. PRHI declined to comment on the reasons behind shelving the book but stated that no "external pressure" was involved and affirmed its "keenness" to publish, despite the disagreements with the author's representatives.